Interested in a driveway or walkway material that is environmentally friendly and costs one-third less than concrete? Check out GraniteCrete made of recycled mining by-product with no oils or plastics. Because GraniteCrete is porous, water runoff is not a problem, erosion is reduced and there are no "heat island" issues. It can be used for walkways, driveways and bike paths.
Here in the Northeast, we are battling much more ice this winter than normal. If you have the same problem and consider yourself environmentally conscious, check out Earth Friendly Products Ice Melt, which is safe for pets and vegetation and works up to -13 degrees F. Ice Melt is an all-natural, non-corrosive product that melts ice quickly using magnesium chloride and small amounts of other salts. It doesn't pose risks to the environment like traditional ice melts that contain chemicals and corrode surfaces. For more about winter safety, check out our article "Handling Ice and Protecting Plants."
With spring around the corner, I'm looking for new landscaping ideas. I'm sure I'm not alone. The Patio Town web site has a nice-looking gallery of patios, walls, walkways, planters and more to serve as inspiration for your next project. My favorite is the walkway simulating a dry stream bed with natural rock (pictured at left). Patio Town has been in business for the past 40 years in the Twin Cities area and carries a full line of retaining wall systems. Check out their web site to gear up for the upcoming landscaping season.
Today the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson, address the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. His topic? How to create housing that homeowners can afford to buy and maintain. You see, there's more to affording a home than just being able to buy it—you have to be able to take care of it, too. One of the biggest problems plaguing housing in this country is the need to help people retain their homes and maintain their property. The very real burden of maintaining a home is often forgotten. Siding that lasts; decks, porches, and fences made of low-maintenance materials; and landscaping that won't require hours and hours of upkeep are just some of the ways to make sustained homeownership a reality. The Secretary's address kicks off National Homeownership Month and is the first of many events across the country that will focus on educating buyers and builders on how to build property that can be maintained. It's a good thing when the press decides to highlight such a real topic. Perhaps journalists—like many, many Americans—understand all too well how hard it is to keep ahead of home maintenance while working to pay the mortgage.
City dwellers like myself know how tree roots damage concrete sidewalks. Every pedestrian I know has tripped at one point on a cracked, uplifted section of sidewalk. Not only is this dangerous and unsightly, but the repairs are a constant drain in maintenance costs. Now the city of Boston is considering going with Rubber Sidewalks—modular sidewalk pieces made from discarded rubber tires. Not only are sidewalks made from rubber stronger and easier to repair, they are a shining example of the reusable product movement we like so much here at BobVila.com. Rubbersidewalks are made entirely from discarded tire rubber, making use of material normally destined for landfills where they'll sit for hundreds of years. According to their website, 400 square feet of rubbersidewalks keeps over two tons of discarded tire rubber from going into a landfill. Rubbersidewalks can also be lifted when tree roots become problematic, allowing for simple root trimming. Available for municipal and residential applications, Rubbersidewalks fit together with a simple pegging system. They currently cost about a third more than conventional sidewalks to install, but save money in repair costs, preserve tree growth, look great, and recycle a material that normally clogs landfills. Exact costs vary due to shipping (the company operates out of California and is building another plant in New York) but you can contact Rubbersidewalks.Inc directly for a quote. Think of the joggers who will thank you!
